1. What strengths did you bring to your internship?
When I was approached about taking the job as an assistant baseball coach at Goshen College I was a little unsure about my abilities to teach the game of baseball and the art of pitching to other collegiate athletes. What I soon came to realize is coaching is not about teaching the game, it is more about sharing the knowledge you already know. When I finally came to understand this I was able to focus more on how I was going to do things and less about what I was going to teach and tell. As far as strengths I brought to the internship, I would have to say there were many strengths that I brought to the table. The first being that I competed at a higher level than anyone directly involved with the Goshen College baseball program. With having this playing experience under my belt I was able to relay my points a bit easier. It also landed me some instant respect from players on the team. Another strength I brought with me was my knowledge of strength and conditioning. With me being able to head up our strength and conditioning programs, it allowed our head coach to be able to focus on other things to better our program!
2. What were your major weaknesses? What personal qualities could you have improved during your experience?
Throughout the internship I couldn't help but think my lack of speaking to large crowds became very evident. It isn't that I didn't know what to say, or couldn't relay the proper message, but more that I would ramble longer than needed and at times I feel I would lose the attention of those I was talking to. Another weakness I had in my opinion would be my age. I know there isn't anything I can do to change that, but I felt at times, I was a bit under-respected amongst our team since I am only a couple years older than most of the guys I am coaching.
3. Do you feel you adequately satisfied the duties expected of you by the sponsoring organization? Why or why not?
I definitely believe I satisfied the duties expected of me. Any time I was asked to do something, whether it be for the baseball program or another team needing assistance with something, I was always there to help with whatever needed done. On top of which, the job I hold is not an internship in their eyes. I put in full-time hours (at least 6-8 hours a day) and receive part-time pay, barely.
4. Do you feel you adequately satisfied the time requirements (150 clock hours) of the internship?
I completely believe I adequately satisfied the time requirements listed with the internship of 150 clock hours. Throughout a six week period I accumulated almost 250 hours of work, 100 more than required. Whether it be in the office, on the field with practice or scrimmages, on the road recruiting, or hanging out monitoring study tables I definitely think I adequately satisfied the required time.
5. What helpful suggestions would you make to future interns in your position?
I would recommend putting in as many hours as you possibly can. Yes, it is going to suck and you will likely not receive compensation for the extra work that you do put in, however it will only allow you to become more familiar with coaching, the game you are coaching, the school you are employed by, and the athletes you are in charge of. Another suggestion I have is keeping an open mind in almost everything you do related to the program you are coaching. Sports, especially baseball, are games of changes, adjustments, and adaptation. If you are not able to do these things then you likely will not be very successful, so I encourage others who would like to pursue coaching to keep an open mind. Read articles pertaining to what it is you are coaching. Make it a goal to constantly want to learn more and more about the game you love oh so much!
6. What did you gain from your experience? How will this experience help you when you leave Tiffin University?
Well considering I have already technically left TU, I think these experiences have helped me greatly. They allowed me to mature a bit in my professional presence along with learning more and more about the game of baseball. I look for this current coaching experience to guide me on a path of more great coaching opportunities. While coaching for the first time this past fall, I have learned different ways to communicate with players, coaches, and recruits. I have become more familiar with how the game looks from a non player point of view and I have also gained experience with professionalism while being around the athletic office virtually every day of the week.
10. What overall grade do you feel you earned through your internship experience? ___B_____ Justify your response.
Personally, I believe I earned at least a "B" for my internship. I know I lacked consistency with updating my required information regarding the internship as a class, however I think it is likely fair to say I put in many more hours and personal time than other interns have because in the eyes of Goshen College I am not an intern, but a full time employee. I live on campus there which means I tend to arrive at the office between 9-10 each morning and do not return home until usually around 7-8 each night. These long hours every day, along with occasional weekends have me doing much more than required through the MGT 470 criteria. With this being said, I think with my consistently extra hours, and longer days, that I deserve a fairly decent grade even if my associated school work was not always completed in a timely manor. I feel work experience and hours in the field have a slightly larger impact on me becoming a good coach and that is exactly what I did this entire semester, work, work, work!
When I was approached about taking the job as an assistant baseball coach at Goshen College I was a little unsure about my abilities to teach the game of baseball and the art of pitching to other collegiate athletes. What I soon came to realize is coaching is not about teaching the game, it is more about sharing the knowledge you already know. When I finally came to understand this I was able to focus more on how I was going to do things and less about what I was going to teach and tell. As far as strengths I brought to the internship, I would have to say there were many strengths that I brought to the table. The first being that I competed at a higher level than anyone directly involved with the Goshen College baseball program. With having this playing experience under my belt I was able to relay my points a bit easier. It also landed me some instant respect from players on the team. Another strength I brought with me was my knowledge of strength and conditioning. With me being able to head up our strength and conditioning programs, it allowed our head coach to be able to focus on other things to better our program!
2. What were your major weaknesses? What personal qualities could you have improved during your experience?
Throughout the internship I couldn't help but think my lack of speaking to large crowds became very evident. It isn't that I didn't know what to say, or couldn't relay the proper message, but more that I would ramble longer than needed and at times I feel I would lose the attention of those I was talking to. Another weakness I had in my opinion would be my age. I know there isn't anything I can do to change that, but I felt at times, I was a bit under-respected amongst our team since I am only a couple years older than most of the guys I am coaching.
3. Do you feel you adequately satisfied the duties expected of you by the sponsoring organization? Why or why not?
I definitely believe I satisfied the duties expected of me. Any time I was asked to do something, whether it be for the baseball program or another team needing assistance with something, I was always there to help with whatever needed done. On top of which, the job I hold is not an internship in their eyes. I put in full-time hours (at least 6-8 hours a day) and receive part-time pay, barely.
4. Do you feel you adequately satisfied the time requirements (150 clock hours) of the internship?
I completely believe I adequately satisfied the time requirements listed with the internship of 150 clock hours. Throughout a six week period I accumulated almost 250 hours of work, 100 more than required. Whether it be in the office, on the field with practice or scrimmages, on the road recruiting, or hanging out monitoring study tables I definitely think I adequately satisfied the required time.
5. What helpful suggestions would you make to future interns in your position?
I would recommend putting in as many hours as you possibly can. Yes, it is going to suck and you will likely not receive compensation for the extra work that you do put in, however it will only allow you to become more familiar with coaching, the game you are coaching, the school you are employed by, and the athletes you are in charge of. Another suggestion I have is keeping an open mind in almost everything you do related to the program you are coaching. Sports, especially baseball, are games of changes, adjustments, and adaptation. If you are not able to do these things then you likely will not be very successful, so I encourage others who would like to pursue coaching to keep an open mind. Read articles pertaining to what it is you are coaching. Make it a goal to constantly want to learn more and more about the game you love oh so much!
6. What did you gain from your experience? How will this experience help you when you leave Tiffin University?
Well considering I have already technically left TU, I think these experiences have helped me greatly. They allowed me to mature a bit in my professional presence along with learning more and more about the game of baseball. I look for this current coaching experience to guide me on a path of more great coaching opportunities. While coaching for the first time this past fall, I have learned different ways to communicate with players, coaches, and recruits. I have become more familiar with how the game looks from a non player point of view and I have also gained experience with professionalism while being around the athletic office virtually every day of the week.
10. What overall grade do you feel you earned through your internship experience? ___B_____ Justify your response.
Personally, I believe I earned at least a "B" for my internship. I know I lacked consistency with updating my required information regarding the internship as a class, however I think it is likely fair to say I put in many more hours and personal time than other interns have because in the eyes of Goshen College I am not an intern, but a full time employee. I live on campus there which means I tend to arrive at the office between 9-10 each morning and do not return home until usually around 7-8 each night. These long hours every day, along with occasional weekends have me doing much more than required through the MGT 470 criteria. With this being said, I think with my consistently extra hours, and longer days, that I deserve a fairly decent grade even if my associated school work was not always completed in a timely manor. I feel work experience and hours in the field have a slightly larger impact on me becoming a good coach and that is exactly what I did this entire semester, work, work, work!